What Is Certification Vs Registered

Some common questions that medical assisting students enquire are,

"Should I become my CMA or RMA"
"What is the divergence between the CMA and RMA?"
"Which is meliorate, CMA or RMA?"

These are important questions for students to exist asking every bit they are completing their education and planning for their careers. Afterall, to be competitive in the task market medical assistants will need credentials.

So, today nosotros wanted to answer these questions and provide a comprehensive comparing of the two credentials, CMA – Certified Medical Assistants by the AAMA and RMA – Registered Medical Assistants past the AMT.

For those who cannot become certified due to financial or other constraints, you may want to read:

How to become a medical assistant without certification
How to find medical assisting jobs with no experience

The Differences Between CMA & RMA

Both the CMA and RMA are recognized as national certifications for medical assistants. Withal, the CMA does have slightly meliorate recognition.

The CMA is offered by the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) and the RMA is offered by AMT (American Medical Technologists).

However, the CMA was the first credential offered and is more widely recognized inside the industry by employers and state governments. In fact, although uncommon, states like Connecticut volition just recognize the CMA by AAMA whereas nearly states recognize both the CMA and RMA.

While the CMA credential lasts for 5 years before renewal is required, the RMA will only last for 3 years.

Which test is harder CMA or RMA?
Another difference to consider is the national exam for CMAs is slightly longer and generally perceived as slightly more difficult than the examination for RMAs.

Although the CMA exam is not officially harder than the RMA exam, most medical assistants who take both exams report that the CMA is slightly longer, containing more than discussion problems, and seems a bit more challenging.

Pay Difference Between CMA and RMA
It is worth noting that medical assistant salary surveys do written report CMAs earning slightly more than RMAs. However, it is of import to consider that more CMAs are reporting their incomes compared to RMAs thus skewing the data slightly.

Finally, the cost differences between the CMA and RMA credentials are simply $5, while the CMA costs $125 to apply for and the RMA costs $120.

Which is Meliorate?

We can't really say that one credential is better than the other. They are both nationally recognized and should serve as your credential requirement with any employer.

Yet, considering the CMA by the AAMA has been effectually the longest and is the most widely recognized it may serve you lot better in finding employment.

That said, it will all depend on where you lot apply for jobs.

If you program to motility states inside the adjacent three-5 years, and so you may exist better off going for your CMA, or both your CMA and RMA, in guild to exist eligible and competitive in task markets across numerous states.

Should I get CMA or RMA?

We can't really reply this definitively for everyone. The best answer will vary from person to person.

A expert starting betoken is to brainstorm searching for medical profitable jobs in the location where you want to work. Make a list of jobs you find and encounter if they require/accept CMA and/or RMA credentials from applicants.

If you discover that more than job opportunities require CMA or RMA and so that should influence your decision in obtaining CMA or RMA credentials.

Information technology is also worth noting that many medical assistants choose to obtain both their CMA and RMA.

This is not required but will certainly make you much more competitive in the chore marketplace.

CMA vs RMA: Comparison Credential Requirements, Process, & Fees

The table below compares the requirements to obtain your CMA or RMA beginning with a medical assistant program as well equally the steps you lot volition need to follow and fees you volition pay. Additionally, our certification past state tool will aid y'all check what state laws govern the medical profitable profession in your state.

Certification Requirement	CMA	RMA
Encounter one of the eligibility requirements. (CMA requires graduating a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited program, RMA also offers eligibility from military education, work experience and instructing.)	View Eligibility Details	View Eligibility Details
Submit required supporting documentation for exam awarding process.	Documents	Documents
Utilise for test and pay application fee.	Application, $125	Awarding, $120
Schedule your exam date.	Schedule	Schedule
Complete your exam. (Upon completion, the CMA exam volition show whether yous pass/failed immediately and RMA exams taken online will provide your bodily score immediately.)	Yes	Yes
Await 8-ten weeks (CMA candidates will receive official examination scores at this time and RMA candidates will receive their certification.)	Yes	Yep
Passing CMA applicants and then wait some other 10 weeks after receiving scores to receive their certification and card.	Yep	No
You have the ability to retest if y'all fail for both the CMA and RMA	Retest info	Retest info
Continuing Education, membership fees, and recertification are required for both the CMA and RMA	Recertify info	Recertify info

Get Your Medical Assisting Credentials

Hopefully our comparison of medical profitable credentials past the AAMA and AMT will help you lot make an informed decision.

Whichever you decide to go for, information technology is important that you lot become a credentialed medical assistant in order to exist the virtually competitive in the job market.

So, what are you waiting for? With the checklist to a higher place you accept a list of steps you need to take to obtain your credentials. Now it is time to take action!

Best of luck to all of you lot awesome medical assistants out there 🙂

More than questions almost CMA and RMA credentials for medical assistants? Just ask them in the comments below! 🙂